Tooth brush



v Q AP 0, 51937. J. c. JOHNSON ET AL Q ,758

TOOTH BRUSH Filed Dec. .5, 1955 22 INjVENTQRS .fiuuCmmamToumom.

fisonas H NENNING Patented Apr. 20, 1937 PATENT OFFICE 'roorn BRUSH John Clifford Johnson, Glen Cove, and George H.

nning, Bellmore, N. Y.

Application December 5, 1935, Serial No. 52,942

5 Claims.

Our invention relates to toothbrushes and especially to a collapsible variety, the bristles or other cleansing means being impregnated with a tooth powder, paste or like material before bein folded and encased within a cellophane envelope.

The main object of our invention is to provide a suitable toothbrush that is simple in its construction, neat in its appearance, eflicient for its purpose, and is capable of taking up as little space as possible.

' Another object of our invention is to provide a sanitary toothbrush that is capable of being folded up so as to reduce it to the smallest possible size for carrying purposes, and at the same time when unfolded is capable of accomplishing its function in every particular, yet keeping the cost nominal, permitting the user to throw the same away after use.

A further object is to provide such an article in a suitable and compact size that one or more may be conveniently put in the vest pocket, or

in a ladies pocketbook ready for instant. use.

A still further object is to provide such article with either bristles or sponge or like means and to saturate with either toothpowder or paste, before being folded, after which it is slid within the cellophane envelope. The article is not only held compact but at the same time is kept sanitary, preventing the escape of the cleansing material applied to the bristles or other substances that may be used.

With the principal objects set forth as abo a, and others which will appear as the descripti in unfolds itself, reference is made to the following detail description, appended claims and the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and in which:,- I

Fig. l is atop planview of the handle, showin the recess for the bristles, sponge or other like material, the central hinge part and the cover and locking member; Fig. 2 is a like view'showing the sponge applied in its dished like section.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the relation of the parts. Fig. 4 is a side view of the toothbrush showing it folded ready to be inserted within a trans-.

I parent envelope.

. toothbrush handle, which we prefer to make of a stiff fibrous paper, the handle being stamped out and shaped at the same time; and H designates the portion for the reception of the bristles. The part I! is preferably fiat to afford a suitable folding place, while the otherend is provided with another dished shaped part l3, which terminates ina fiat portion tapering to a point 14 at its end as shown. At the other end of the handle we provide a, slightly turned up lip IS with a perforation I6 which receives the point I4 and holds the device in compact form when folded. The part l3-m ay have its longitudinal sides slightly turned up or dish shaped as at H, so as to assist in retaining the cleansing powder or paste therein. Intermediate the parts ll, I2 and [3, parts I8 and I9 are made trough-like,

so as to reinforce and hold the handle rigid.

It is proposed to make the handle of stiff paper and after it has been shaped, to subject the same to a suitable waterproofing process whereby the paper will be made impervious to water, thereby affording a very suitable and durable handle which will answer every requirement for the function for which it was designed.

The toothbrush illustrated and described herein is an improvement on the toothbrush shown in our previous Patent No. 1,894,413, granted January 17, 1933, and to that extent is a, continuation of the same. This style was found unprofitable from the fact that it had to be made in so many different sizes, for the various people who would use them, whereas, with our present form, the toothbrush may be used by young and old alike. For instance, our toothbrush may be placed in the guest room, hotel, I club, homes, hospitals, steamships, etc., and may be carried by the ladies in their pocketbooks for use after lunch, at restaurants, in Pullman cars;

tooth powder or tooth paste impregnated in the bristles or sponge material for normalv use. I

Referring now to Fig. 2, thisshows a plan view of a. form of our toothbrush wherein a sponge I9 is used. In this form, we-prefer to provide a slight channel 20 down the center, for an additional supply of the powder or paste. The other end l3 when folded overor the sponge I9 v(or bristles 2|) holds the powder or paste therein, as shown in Fig. 4, and any smallparticles that may fall away from the brush after it has ing not only a suitable collapsible toothbrushbut at the same time a handy sanitary and convenient one to carry and have ready for instant use.

Of course, with, the use of sponge or other like material for cleaning the teeth, the same will be made secure to the section II, while, if bristles 2| are used, the bristles are first inserted in a suitable base 22, and then the base made secure in the section II. It is proposed to provide both kinds, that is with bristles, and with sponge, as it is highly desirable with some people to use a still bristle, while others prefer the sponge. Children in particular, demand a milder brush as it is not so liable-to hurt their gums, and it is believed it will appeal to them to use the toothbrush more often.

When it is desired to use one of our toothbrushes, the envelope is opened at one end and the brush extracted therefrom,then the point I4 is released from the catch it and the handle straightened out about the hinge l2, thus providing a straight, stiff handle for use against the teeth. As has been noted, a suflicient supply of powder or paste having been previously placed on and between the bristles or sponge as well as having some spread on the, top thereof, there is a bountiful supply for the desired purpose. However, it may be found advantageously convenient to provide an extra supply in the cover portion l3 of our handle which thus not only protects what was impregnated in the bristles or sponge but also provides a receptacle for additional quantities.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have herein described the principal form of our invention, which we now consider to present the best embodiment thereof; but we desire to have it understood that the design of the handle is only illustrative as the handle may be shaped in any other desirable way for the particular purpose; it may be changed or altered without interfering in any way with the general appearance or performance of the article.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:-

1. A foldable toothbrush comprising a flattened one-piece body portion of fibrous material or the like adapted for folding, said body portion being provided with a scored intermediate section at the point of folding thereof, upstanding sides defining receptacles at the ends of said body portion, said receptacles both opening in the Same direction when in extended position, one being slightly larger than the other, whereby when folded the body portion of the larger or 0 said receptacles constitutes acover for the other receptacle, tooth-cleaning means in the latter, and means on said body portion for locking said toothbrush in folded position.

2. A toothbrush comprising integrally formed sections adapted severally to receive a toothcleaning medium and means for applying said medium to the teeth, said first-named section being further adapted to constitute a covering means for the last-named section, means interconnecting said sections and provided with a weakened line intermediate the ends thereof whereby the two sections are folded into superposition, a tooth-cleaning medium in said firstnamed section and means for applying said medium to the teeth in the other section.

3. A foldable toothbrush comprising a pressed paper body portion provided at one end with a brush-receiving pocket, brush means in said pocket, means intermediate the ends of said body portion for locating the position of fold thereof, means at the other end of said body portion adapted to cover said pocket when the body portion is folded over, and means on said body portion for detachably retaining it in folded position, said last named means including a tongue arranged at one end of said body portion and a tongue-receiving and retaining opening at the other end of said body portion, said cover means serving simultaneously as a receptacle for tooth powder or the like.

4. A one-piecefoldable toothbrush of pressed paper or the like comprising a central body portion substantially U-shaped in cross section, said body portion including a scored, flattened, intermediate section defining the locus of folding, a brush-receiving pocket at one end of said body portion, brush means in said pocket, a tooth paste receiving pocket at the other end of said body portion, tooth paste in said last named pocket, the latter functioning also as a cover for said first-named pocket when the toothbrush is folded, and means adapted to be interconnected when the toothbrush is folded to retain the latter against undesired unfolding.

5. A one-piece collapsible pressed paper toothbrush consisting essentially of an applicator section and a handle section, applicator means in J. CLIFFORD JOHNSON...

. GEORGE H. NENNING. 

